China leads walk for elephants

The Chinese Ambassador and a former President are to lead a walk against poaching and trafficking on Saturday. An elephant in Mikumi National Park, which borders the Selous Game Reserve, on October 13, 2013. Photo: Daniel Hayduk

The Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania, Lu Youqing, and former President Benjamin Mkapa will lead a Walk for Elephants on Saturday.

Other diplomats, senior politicians and activists in the fight against elephant poaching and ivory trafficking are also expected to attend.

The event, which required registration, is already full; 500 participants — including 200 Chinese nationals living in Tanzania — are expected to attend.

China, which has the biggest ivory market in the world, recently announced it would ban ivory trading and processing by the end of 2017.

“It is a great step towards protecting elephants. With the ban decision, automatically, ivory price would decrease and make the business less preferred,” says Tourism and Natural Resources minister Jumanne Maghembe.

Expect traffic delays between 06:00 and 10:00 between the Chinese Embassy on Kajificheni Close and Sea Cliff hotel on Saturday, January 14.

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